big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

The airport is small and easy to navigate. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning (7/19/18), "as a resident of the Monterey Peninsula we do love our tourists, however, I'd like to remind those who visit - there are those that work and live in the area, and to please be courteous of our existence. We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. On one side, youll see the quaint houses up close and on the other side, youll have a clear view of the iconic Carmel beach down below. (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. We so enjoyed our time on our Monterey and Big Sur road trip. :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! Price: $25-100. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4','ezslot_26',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4-0');A beautiful state park, Garrapata State Park has views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Soberanes Canyon. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. The clam chowder here is also amazing! Known as one of Big Surs largest and most accessible beaches and the last stop on your Big Sur itinerary is Sand Dollar Beach, located about 30 minutes south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Old Downtown Monterey located on Alvarado street and named after Juan Bautista Alvarado who was the former governor of Alta California. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Hungry? Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes! We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. Book now from $9.99! Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. Tours cost $15 per person. Please make reservation for dinner; No Dinner Wednesday/Thursday; Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Big Sur Inn at Castro Canyon. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. You dont really need your bathing suit here as the water is waaaay too cold. Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! Continue driving south on Hwy 1 towards your next stop in this Big Sur itinerary: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which is not to be confused with Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . And if you venture a bit further south from the city before you hit Carmel, you can enjoy the splendours of the 17-mile-drive a coastal route that is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the entirety of the US. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Thx!! Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. . Youll most definitely wanna make a few stops along the way (Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, and Carmel/Monterey are my favorites), so plan accordingly! I would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. Park along the road right before the entrance to save on a $10 parking fee. We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! The 72-mile portion that runs through Big Sur is an official American National Scenic Byway. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! Majority of the famous viewpoints are on the coastal side, so it would be best if you drove north to south, that way you make right turns in/out of the viewpoints. Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! This looks amazing. Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! The fog is usually gone by early Fall, and you can even witness whales and butterflies this time of year (yes, really, if you know where to look!). We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. I may email you with more in-depth questions as we plan. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. Yes please! Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! If we get there earlier, we get saltwater taffy and enjoy them on our hikes/beach time. There are souvenir shops, where I bought a super cute Monterey boat picture frame, theres a clam chowder stand, a cafe spot that I love and forget its name, and my favorite the Monterey Bay Creamery where theres a huge cow statue selling ice cream. We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! There were also lots of lawn games. Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. Whether youre driving down the entirety of the California coast or just making the short drive from SF, youre in luck. Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. Thank you! McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. Glad to hear it! You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! Cocktails with a view? Looking for more California content? I feel the need to say this since youll be getting back in the car to continue on the 1: if youre the driver, please be responsible and limit yourself to one drink at most. Three types of whales frequent the Big Sur coastline: If youre visiting Big Sur in the winter months between October and December, youre in for a real treat tons of monarch butterflies! Big Sur isnt too far from Monterey and you get all the nature with it. You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. As you start your Big Sur road trip down from San Francisco (after exploring Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea prior), youre first official stop should be Point Lobos! I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. at stops along the way. Not happening. The waves are unpredictable and pretty rough. Arrive- Pick up Rental Car and Drive to Monterey I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, Gray Whales: December to February (migrating south to Mexico), and February to April (returning north; easier to spot as they are closer to the shore), Humpback Whales: late April to early December, With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your. Coast of California Day 3: 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Pismo Beach Happy Friday, Everyone! Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . Thank you! I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. Free shipping for many products! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for California CA Big Sur Carmel Monterey Coastline Postcard Old Vintage Card View at the best online prices at eBay! Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. Three days would be even better so you can really relax and take your time. Nearest Cities: Monterey and Carmel to the north (40 minute drive), San Simeon and Cambria to the south (1.5 hour drive) Closest International Airports: San Jose International Airport (SJC) - 1.5 hour drive | Oakland International Airport (OAK) - 2 hour drive | San Francisco (SFO) - 2.5 hour drive Best Time to Visit: April through October, early fall is best Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. Pick-up from centrally located hotels between 7:30am - 8:30am Duration: 11 hours Transportation: Comfortable Motorcoach Includes: Complimentary pickup/dropoff from centrally located hotels As always, thanks for the support. At an early hour, you might be too early for Nepenthe the restaurant upstairs, but Cafe Kevah down below has a delicious selection for brunch. With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. Thanks for stopping by! You might recognize this bridge if you have seen Big Little Lies. Its one of the most iconic bridges in all of California and definitely one of the most photographed for its aesthetic. After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. Homewood Suites by Hilton in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels in San Jose Aloft Hotels in San Jose InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in San Jose Extended Stay America Hotels in San Jose Residence Inns in San Jose Choice Hotels in San Jose Best Western Hotels in San Jose Motel 6 Hotels in San Jose Fairfield Inns in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels If you and your group aren't ready to slow down yet, take this time to explore the shops on Fisherman's Wharf or Cannery Row. Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. And so is Nepenthe! Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. Thank you! Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! Tranquil. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. Read on for my favorite Big Sur activities, where to stay, what to do in Big Sur, and (most importantly), what and where to eat! I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips. This road trip takes just over 3 hours and is a must-do for a glimpse of California's coastal beauty. Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: Beautiful, post-card like views. Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. Looks like such an awesome road trip. Theyve got a manicured grassy lawn which is perfect for picnics, and a whole set-up on their outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas. Its more of a state of mind rather than a specific point on a map, encompassing about 90 sunny Californian miles down the Pacific Coast Highway. There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. Famous for its narrow cobblestone lanes, little cottages dressed in flowers and plants, and enchanting shops that sell tons of local goodies, Carmel is a . The Best California Road Trips & Itineraries | Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur to Santa Barbara California: Places to Visit North America California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara FIRST POSTED: 4th June 2019 | LAST UPDATED: 7th August 2020 9 minute read Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. House dating to 1867 of one of the first American families to homestead the Big Sur coast, with a New England-style saltbox wing built in 1877. 3-day Big Sur itinerary. The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. Then head over to the Carmel Mission. And plus, the water is chilly over here! For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. Youll also be able to witness sea lions and harbor seals frolicking around on nearby rocks any time of year listen and youll hear them no problem! Many different types of vegetation can be found here as well such as wildflowers, shrubs, and fungi, but most importantly the Monterey Cypress which is local to the area. Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. 4.. Can You Start from San Francisco to Big Sur on the Road Trip Itinerary? The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. BIG SUR ADVENTURES. Tip: Driving it can be challenging, but well worth it. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur In a nutshell, this drive is all about the jaw-dropping scenery of the Pacific Coast. The ocean is a short walk away. This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Treebones Resort features seven ocean view tent campsites, along with 16 yurts with great views of the Pacific at Cape San Martin! The picturesque stretch hugs the Monterey Peninsula, threading through the historic Monterey and the fairytale town of Carmel-by-the-Sea before connecting with the jaw-dropping Big Sur. If you have time for more hiking and want to explore more of the Big Sur area on foot, check out this link for ideas. The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. This Inn was so cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! Looking for sand dollars might result in a disappointment, but youll easily find muscles, crabs, sea anemone, and kelp beds while exploring the nearby rocks during low tide. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. I recommend anywhere from 1-3 days in Big Sur, kinda depending if you wanna go on a few hikes or just see the typical tourist Big Sur road trip stops. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. McWay Falls As always, all opinions expressed are our own. Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Since Big Sur is located between Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Simeon, its best to start from either of these (and finish in the other) if you wanna experience the entire coastline of Big Sur. Hi, Im Jess. Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. 6. Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. And it is a full itinerary! And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Nov 2021 and Nov 2020. Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. Pick up snacks beforehand to have in the car during the drive so you dont need to shell out an astronomical amount of cash at the Big Sur convenience stores every time you feel like noshing. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. Why is Big Sur famous? Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. The entire 6-mile loop takes approximately three hours, but guests can enjoy as much or as little as they like as all trails intersect at various points and all paths are clearly marked. Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Day Two I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. 3. (See that next!). Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. The trail will take you less than an hour as its about 0.8 miles long and will bring you to the beautiful shorelines where you might even spot a sea otter! Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! 2. Okay, so we just discovered this spot off the side of the highway on our last visit to Big Sur, and I cannot believe I never noticed it before! Winding turns. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. We are surrounded by forest. Point Lobos has a long history, dating all the way back to the mid-1800s, and hosted many groups including the Ohlone Native Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spaniards. Patience is the only requirement, but binoculars are nice to have as well. And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. This takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to the lowest point of Big Sur, Cambria, where you can start this itinerary (in reverse order from how it's posted). Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. Its pretty secluded and kinda secret (aka not on all the typical things to do in Big Sur posts), so I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. Be sure to dabble your toes in the river at Big Sur River Inn and then end your day with a sunset dinner and ocean view at Pacific's Edge. Whether you are looking for a shopping trip, family getaway or romantic getaway we have just the travel itinerary for you! As well as (chive and cheddar) scones and strudels and coffees and cream-filled donuts. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. What a wonderful place you get to call home. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. The Andrew Molera State Park is located in Big Sur and is a relatively undeveloped park in the area. The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. If you didnt have time to pack a snack or breakfast, plan a stop at Big Sur Bakery before u-turning into the Pfeiffer Beach turn-off. Hi Jolayne! Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. Mmm! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Carmel-by-the-Sea. Where does the Big Sur drive start? In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. Bixby Bridge was built in 1932 and is one of the highest suspending bridges sitting at 260 feet above the bottom of the canyon below. Pin it for later or share it! Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. There are definitely so many good spots for pictures that you cant get enough of! Renting a Car : Note that you'll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, but you can easily park on the side of the road (if you dont mind walking a far distance to get in). Thank you for this helpful resource. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." Weve always been planning to do a road trip in this part of California, so will be bookmarking this.